Pyrophoric lighting mechanism



April 12, 1938. l.. v. ARoNsoN PYROPHOBIC LIGHTING MECHANISM Fild Feb. 24, 193e 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 12, 1938. l.. v. ARoNsoN PYROPHORIC LIGHTING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1936 1 INVENTOR y Lgl Vll'o'son M, QM., L M ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Metal Works, Jersey Inc.,

a corporation of New Application February 24, 1936, Serial No. 65,265

12 Claims.

` My invention relates to pyrophoric lighting mechanism of the type utilizing a torch for actuating the sparking device.

My invention has particular reference to pyroplioric lighting mechanism wherein movement of a torch along a path produces a continuous stream of sparks which are projected toward said torch for the purpose of producing a freely burning flame.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

My invention resides in the pyrophoric lighting mechanism, features, combinations and arrangements of the character vhereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for `an illustration of some of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in. which: K'

Figure 1 is a perspective view of pyrophoric lighting mechanism as constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 with some of the parts shown in different positions;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken' on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

` Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a modification of I the invention;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig.4 'I is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevaton, of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6 with lli ^ I i Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, F represents a fuel casing with which is associated a main casing M, the latter, in any `suitable manner, being supported upon and secured to said fuel casing F,

and both casings being constructed from suitable sheet metal as desired. a

The fuel casing F may be of any suitable con- (Cl. (T7-4.1)

figuration and, as herein shown, this casing comprises a bottom wall I to the lower surface of which are secured a plurality of pads of rubber or the like, these pads being adapted to support the lighting mechanism upon a table or other 5 suitable surface. Suitably secured to the bottom Wall l, is a side wall 2 which may be of curved configuration as shown or which may be of any other suitable configuration as desired. The side wall 2 is closed by a top wall 3 which, preferably, 1n is horizontally disposed as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, a tubular member 4 joins the bottom wall l and the top wall 3 of the fuel casing F, this tubular member defining an open passage utilizable as hereinafter del5 scribed. It will be understood that adjacent surfaces of the various walls l, 2 and 3 together with adjacent surfaces of the walls i, 3 and the tubular member 4 are soldered or otherwise suitably secured together so as to form sealed junctions at these various adjacent surfaces.

In accordance with the invention, one Wall of the fuel casing F as, for example, the bottom wall l thereof may be provided with an opening which is normally closed by a vcap 5. Upon removal of this cap 5, as will be understood, suitable fuel, as a high test gasoline, may be introduced interiorly of the fuel casing F, such fuel being held in suspension by the cotton 6 or other absorbent material contained in said fuel casing F. 3()

As shown in Fig. 4, the top wall 3 of the fuel casing F carries a tubular member 'l having its axis vertically disposed and defining a passage which opens into said fuel casing. Disposed interiorly of the fuel casing F, in longitudinal alinement with the passage defined by the tubular member 1, is a suitable tubular structure 8 formed of felt or the like, said structure 8 as hereinafter more fully described, being adapted to receive the lower end of a torch T, and said tubular struc- 40 ture 8 being of any suitable detailed construction such, for example, as more particularly described in my pending application Serial No. 727,060, filed May 23, 1934.

The main casing M is constituted by a tubular shell 9 which, preferably, is suitably secured in detached position on the fuel casing F. This shell 9, as shown on the drawings, has secured thereto, preferably in detachable manner, a top wall I0 which forms a support for various parts 50 of the lighting mechanismas hereinafter more` fully described. n

As shown on the drawings, a small housing l l is supported by the main casing wall I0, this housing I l preferably comprising a pair of spaced verextension Ila is a pinion I5 with which meshesa gear segment ISa of an actuating member constituted by a lever I6 mounted for free oscillatory movement on a member horizontally fixed in the aforesaid walls I la of the housing II.

Disposed for rotatable'movement on the clutch wheel I4 is a wheel I8 having its outer face serrated or roughened for coaction with a pyrophoric element I8 in part projecting from a tube 28 extending downwardly through the casing M and being suitably anchored to a bracket 2| secured to the. lower surface of the top casing wall I8, the tube 28 containing the usual spiral spring 22 which is maintained under compression by a closure cap 23 so as to bias the pyrophoric element I8 into engagement with the serrated wheel I8.

' Any suitable form of mechanism may be utilized for transferring energy from the clutch wheel I4 to the serrated wheel I8. To this end, the periphery of the clutch wheel Il may be shaped to provide a plurality of angular pockets Ila each of which receives a metallic rod 24, or

equivalent. As will readily be understood, the

rods 2| coact with the interior curved surface of the wheel I8 to produce rotative movement of said wheel I8 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 2, when the clutch wheel I8 is rotated in the same direction. As clearly appears, rotation of the wheel I8 as and in the direction just described eiects the production of a shower of pyrophoric sparks which. are projected from left to right, Figs. 2 and 3, tangentially with respect to the serrated wheel I8 and through the open side of the housing II.

The lever I8 comprises an extension I8a extending downwardly through an opening in the casing wall I8, an extension IIb extending horizontally beneath said wall I8, and an extension I6c extending upwardly through said wall I8, said lever extension |6c carrying a cup-shaped inem ber 25 movablev through the path of the pyrophoric sparks and with which the lower end of the torch T is adapted to engage as hereinafter more fully described. 'I'he lever I6 should be suitably biased in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3, so as to tend to remain in the position shown in Fig. 2. To this end, for example, there may be provided a helical spring 26 which has one end secured to the lever I8 and the other end anchored in fixed position, as by attachment to the casing wall I8. As the parts are positioned in Fig. '3, it is obvious that the spring 28 tends to swing the lever I6 in a counter-clockwise direction.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lever section |6b is curved in such manner that the adjacent lever section IGc is disposed in and moves substantially in the plane of the serrated wheel I8. This, of course, is desirable because insuring that the member 25 shall move in the path of the pyrophoric sparks. In Figs. 2 and 3, the lever section I8b is illustrated as comprising a section I6d which coacts with the top wall to limit movement 2,113,975 tical wall sections Ila having lower flanged terof the lever I5 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 2.

The torch T which is utilizable for operating the herein described actuating member I8 may be of any suitable character such, for example, as is well known'in the art. T hus, if desired, said torch T may comprise a handle section 21 having a serrated surface 21a adapted to be manually gripped. One end of a sleeve 28 is received in a passage formed in one end of said handle section 2l, this sleeve being secured to the handle section for rotatable movement only by a sleeve nut 29 which, as shown, engages a shouldered surface 28a of the sleeve 28. Disposed interiorly of said sleeve 28is a tubular wick 38 formed of suitable material such as is well known to the art. Secured to the handle section 2l is a rod 3| of square or other polygonal configuration, this rod extending interiorly and longitudinally of the wick 38 in close-fitting relation and being of somewhat greater lengththan the sleeve 28 which, adjacent its lower end, is provided with interior screw threads 28h adapted to be closely engaged by the wick 38. y

The wick 38 normally projects beyond the lower end of the sleeve 28 to' some extent as indicated. When it becomes desirable to advance or retract said wick 38, the sleeve 28 is held by the fingers of one hand and the handle section 2'I is turned in one direction or the other as desired. The rod 3| turnswith the handle section 21 and the wick 38 turns with said rod 3|.

The rod 3| crowds the exterior surface of the wick 38 against the threads 28h and, since said wick turns with respect to the stationary threads 28h as stated above, it results that the wick'is either retracted or advanced as desired.

'Ihe herein disclosed pyrophoric lighting mechanism of Figs. 1-4 inclusive comprisesa tubular member 32 having its lowerv end disposed in threaded lrelation with respect tothe tubular member 'IFig. 4. This tubular member 32 is disposed vertically in the main casing M and extends through an opening provided therefor in the upper casing wall. Above said top casing wall I8, the tubular member 32 has a sleeve nut 33 threaded exteriorly thereto in readily detachable manner. 'I'he sleeve nut 33 engages a bushing 34 fixed to the top casing wall I8. This sleeve nut, then, maintains said wall I8 in position on the shell 8 and said sleeve nut, acting through the wall I8, maintains said shell 8' in its intended position on the fuel casing F as disclosed.

Normally, the torch- T is disposed within the tubular member 32 in such manner that the flanged section of the sleeve nut 28 engages the flush upper surfaces of the tubular member 32 .and the sleeve 33. When seated'in this position,

the lower end of the wick` 38 is disposed in fuelabsorbing relation with respect to the fuel contained in the fuel casing F and, as a result, a charge of fuel is absorbed by said wick 38.

When the herein described lighting mechanism of Figs. 1-4 inclusive is to be operated, the torch T is withdrawn from its normal seated position as shown in Fig. 4 and the lower end of the torch rod 3| is disposed in. engagement with the cupshaped member25. Then, by the application of downward pressure, the actuating lever I8 is swung in a vclockwise direction-from the position thereof shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 and, in so doing, the lower exposed end of step of rotative movement under the influence of said downward pressurey to the actuating lever I6.

In this manner,. the charge of f uel carried by the lower exposed end of the wick I0 is ignited to produce a freely burning flame which may be used to ignite a cigarette,'a pipe, or for any other purpose as desired.

` When the vactuating lever I6 was swung in a 10 clockwise direction from the Fig. 2 p position thereof as'described above, energy was stored in the spring 26. Accordingly, when the torch T is removed from the cup-shaped member 26, said spring 26 eifectively'returns the lever |6-to the.

position thereof shown in Fig. 2 and places the mechanism in condition for a subsequent lighting operation.

7 An advantage of the invention described above relates tothe mechanicalarrangement whereby I energy is transferred from the torch to the serrated wheel in the direct sense that there is no temporary storage of such energy in a spring.

It results, therefore, that the pyrophoric sparks are produced continuously during descending movement of the torch. This type of operation is desirable because contributing to the quick and etllcient ignition of the charge of fuel carried f by said torch. In the appended claims, the references tothe transmission of force directly to I said sparking wheel shall be understood as describing the transfer of force through a mechanical connection and as excluding the storage of such force in a spring, or equivalent.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '1, Ml represents a main casing which, in any suitable manner. is associated with a fuel casing Fi. The main casing MI comprises a top wall serving, in the manner hereinafter described, as a support for4 the various 40 parts of the pyrophoric lighting mechanism.

Asherein shown, the lighting mechanism of Figs.l 5, 6 and 7v comprises a Aserratled'wheel 4I which is freely rotatable on a pin or axle 42 horizontally disposed in standards 43 upstanding from and secured to the top casing wall 40. Co-

actable with the serrated wheel 4I is the usual pyrophoric element 44 which,rin part, projects from a tube 4-5 suitably anchored in position in-4 teriorly of the main casing MI, said tube 45.

50 containing a helicalA spring, not shown, maintained under compression in the usual manner so as to bias the pyrophoric element 44 into engagement with the serrated wheel 4|.

' Disposed in side-by-side relation with respect 55 to the serrated wheel 4| is a pinion 46, this pinionv being loosely mounted upon the pin 42 the same as the serrated wheel 4I. Coactable with the pinion 46 is a gear segment 41a forming the 70 ment of this character permitting vertical reciprocatory movement of the plunger 5|. As appears from a consideration of Fig. 6, the plunger 5| is suitably biased in an upward direction, as by a helical spring 53.

75 Any suitable arrangement such, for example,

as described in connection with Figs. 1-4 may be provided for clutching the serrated wheel 4I to the pinion 46 when the latter is moved in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 6, under the control of Ithe lever 41, such arrangement, as will be understood, permitting the pinion 46 to slip with respect to the stationary serrated wheel.A 4|

when said pinion 46 is moved clockwise, Fig. 7.

In operation, a torch T which, if desired, may be of the character hereinbefore described is withdrawn from'its seat and placed in engagement with a depression 5Ia formed in the upper end of the plunger 6I. Then, by the application of down'ward pressure, the plunger 5I is moved downwardly from vits Fig. 6 position to the position thereof shown in Fig. '1. In so doing, the pin 50 rides in the slots 41h, 52a and causes the lever 41 to swing from its Fig. 6 to its Fig. 7 position. As aresult, the serrated wheel 4l is given a step of movement in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 6, to thereby produce a shower of pyrophoric sparks which are projected toward and into engagement with the exposed end of the wick 30 as the torch T is moved downwardly in the manner described. In this way, a freely burning flame is produced at the end of the torch Tand, when this flame has served its intended i anism of Figs'. 5, 6 and '7 operates in substantially the same manner as the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1-4 inclusive. That is, movement of the torch T transmits energy directly to the serrated wheel and s uch energy is not stored in any spring, or equivalent. As a result, a stream of pyrophoric sparks are produced for an appreciable period of time'and, since the fuel-charged I wick is passed through these sparks, it necessarily results that the desired burning ame is quickly and. eiciently produced.r

' In Figs. 8, 9 -and 10, I have illustrated an lnventive arrangement wherein the shower of pyrophoric sparks is produced suddenly by release of the energy stored in a spring. Thus, in said Figs. 8, 9 and 10, M2 represents a main casing with which, in suitable manner, a fuel casing F2 is associated. The main casing M2' comprises a top wall 16 which, in generally thesame manner as hereinbefore described, forms a support for the variousparts of the lighting mechanism.

Upstanding from the top casing wall 10 are the spaced standards 1| which support a pin or member 12 horizontally xed in position thereon. The member 12, in freely rotatable manner, supports a pair of side-by-side wheels 13, 14,

the wheel 13 being a pinion and the wheel 14 being serrated on its outer peripheral surface,

so as to be coactable with a pyrophoric element 15 which, in part, projects from a tube 16 extending downwardly through the main casing M2 and anchored thereto, the tube 16, as well known in the art, containing a helical spring, not

y shown, suitably maintained under compression `so as to bias the pyrophoric element 15 intol engagement with the serrated wheel 14.

Coactable with the pinion 13 are the gear teeth 11a forming the end of a lever `l1 mounted for pivotal movement on a pin 16 supported by a plate 19 secured to and depending from the top casing Wall 10, the lever 11 being suitably biased in a clockwise direction, Fig. 10, as by a helical spring 88 having one end secured to the plate 19 and the other end thereof secured to said lever 11.

Mounted for vertical reciprocatorymovement in the top casing wall and in an angular section 18a oi' the plate 19 is an actuating member 8l which, at its upper end, terminates in an anguiar section 8la movable along a vertical path disposed above the top casing wall 10 and said angular section 8m having a depression 8lb formed therein for the reception of the'lower end of a torch and this depression being in line with the plane of the wheel 14. 'I'he actuating member 8| is biased in an upward direction from the position shown in Fig. 10 by a helical spring 82 which is confined between the angular plate section 18a and a shouldered section of the actuating member 8|.

In accordance with the invention, the actuating member 8| is adapted to be connected to the lever 11 so that energy may be transferred from said actuating member 8| to said lever 11. `The mechanism for accomplishing this purpose may be of any suitable character and, as herein shown, such mechanism comprises a lever 83 which is pivoted at 84 to the actuating member 8|, said lever 83 being biased in a clockwise direction, Fig. 10, by a leaf spring 85, or equivalent. The

lever 83 terminates in a notched end which coacts with a notched wheel 86 mounted for rotatable movement on a pin 81 extending horizontally from the plate 19, the wheel 86 also being coactable with a lateral section 11b of the lever 11.

Normally, the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 8 wherein the lever 83 is illustrated as coacting with the lower surface of the top wall 18 to prevent further upward movement of the member 8| under the influence of the spring 82. When thus positioned, the lower end of the rod 3| of the torch T, or equivalent, may be disposed in the depression 8 Ib of the actuating member 8| and said member 8| lowered to the position shown in Fig. 10. In so doing, the lever 83 remains in engagement with a notched surface of the wheel 86 and causes said wheel to move in a clockwise direction, Fig. 10. As the wheel 86 thus moves, an inclined surface 86a thereof engages the lever section 11b and causes the lever 'l1 to swing in a. counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 8, with resultant expansion and storage of energy in the spring 80.

As Will readily be understood, a clutch mechanism is interposed between the two Wheels 13 and 14 and, when the lever 11 moves as just described, the arrangement of this clutch mechanism is such that the pinion 13 idles with respect to the serrated wheel 14 which remains stationary at this time.

Eventually, as the wheel 86 moves a further slight increased distance in a clockwise direction beyond the position shown in Fig. 10, the aforesaid inclined surfce 86a of the wheel 86 becomes disengaged from the lever section 11b whereupon the lever 11, by a snapping action, moves, under the inuence of the spring 80, in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 10. As a result. the pinion 13 is rotated vcounter-clockwise, Fig. 10. and, by the clutch mechanism last described. said pinion 13 causes the serrated wheel 14 to move similarly in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 10, whereby a shower of sparks are produced and projected toward the wick at the lower end of the torch T which, meanwhile, has assumed the position shown in said Fig. 10.

The torch T may now be used for ignlting a pipe, cigarette or for such other purpose as may be desired. As soon as said torch is removed from the actuating member 8|, the latter rises under the influence of the spring 82 and all of the parts takafositionsuh as illustrated in Fig. 10 wherein the mechin-srnjis-in condition for .subsequent operation as desirld.'"*`y While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modiiications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modications.

What is claimed `as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: v

1. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in iixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a movable actuating member for said sparking wheel located in the path of sparks projected therefrom, said actuating member being biased toward one end of its path of movement, a manually operable torch engageable with said actuating member to move it along said path, and means whereby movement of said actuating member along said path transmits force directly to said sparking wheel to produce rotative movement thereof.

2. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a movable actuating member for said sparking wheel located in the path of 'sparks projected therefrom, ,and a connection between said actuating member and the sparking wheel whereby force 1s transmitted directly to said sparking wheel in response to movement of said actuating member by a torch. y

3. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a movable actuating member for said sparking wheel located in the path of sparks projected therefrom, and a gear connection between said actuating member and the sparking wheel whereby force is transmitted, free from absorption or storage, directly to said sparking wheel in response to movement of said actuating member by a torch.

4. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in iixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel Aand a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a movable actuating member for said sparking wheel having a torch-engageable portion located in the path of sparks projected vfrom said sparking wheel, means forming a pivot for said actuating member, said sparking wheel being located between said torch-engageable portion and said pivot, and a gear connection between said actuating member and the sparking wheel whereby force is transmitted directly to said sparking wheel in response to movement of said actuating member by a torch.

5. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed position on said receptacle and comprising asparking'wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into vengagement therewith, a movable actuating member for said sparking wheel having a torch-'engageable .portion located inthe path of sparks projected from said sparking wheel, means forming a pivot for said actuating member, said sparking -wheel being located between saidtorch-engageable portion and said pivot, a gear connection between said actuating member and the sparking wheel whereby force is transmitted directly to saidmove it along its path of movement, and a connection between said actuating member and the sparkingwheel whereby forceis transmitted directly to said sparking wheel in response to movement of said actuating member by the torch,

' sparks being produced and projected toward said I pressible torch-engageable torch during movement of said actuating member throughout substantially the entire length of said path.

'LA pyrophoric lighter lcomprising a receptacle, aosparking device mounted in fixed position-on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a movable actuating o member for said sparking wheel, said'actuatingV member being biased toward one end of its path of movement, a manually operable torch means engageable with said actuating member to move it along its said path, said actuating member being located in a position on said receptacle such that saidtorch means while in engagement therewithmay be positioned vin the pathof sparks rfrom said sparking device, and means whereby movement of said actuating member along its path transmits force directly to said sparking wheel to produce rotative movement thereof..

8.l A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparky ing wheel and a pyrophoric element biased-into engagement therewith, a movable qactuating o,

member for said vsparkingwheel having a de- 1 centthel path of sparks projected from .said

sparking wheel, means forming a pivot for'said" wheel being lqactuating member, said sparking cated between said torch-engageable portion and said pivot, said member extending downwardly from-said portion into the receptacle and exo,

tending beneath said wheel within the receptacle and thence upwardly to said pivot, a gear connection between such upwardly extendingY of said actuating member and the sparking wheel whereby lforce is transmitted directly to said sparking vwheel in response to depression of said actuating member by a torch, and a-spring for biasing said torch-engageable portion to an upper position.

9. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed posilin said receptacle, an

portion located adjapartv tacle, a sparking device mounted in -xed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparkward one end of its path tion on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, whereby upon rotation of said wheel, sparks are projected to one side thereof, a manually operable torch means, a movable actuating member, means for pivotally supporting said member within said receptacle. upwardly extending means connected to one portion of said member and shaped to engagevsaid torch means at a point adjacent the path of sparks projected from said wheel, another portion of said member extending upwardly from the pivotal support and operatively connected to said wheel, whereby depression of said' first named upwardly extending meansby said torch means transmits force directly to said wheel for rotating the same in a direction to cause a shower of sparks to impinge on the torch means, and spring means for restoring'said actuating member to normal position upon removal of the torch means.

10. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparking device mounted in fixed position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, whereby upon rotation of said wheel, sparks are projected to one side thereof, a manually operable torch means, a

movable actuating member, means for pivotally supporting said member within said receptacle,

upwardly extending means connected to one porl extending means, another portion of said member extending upwardly from the pivotal support and operatively connected' to said wheel, whereby depression of said nrst named upwardly extendingmeans by said torch means transmits force `directly to said wheel for rotating the same in a direction to cause a shower of sparks .to impinge on the torch means, and spring means in said tube for restoring said' actuating member to normal position upon removal of the torch means.

11. A pyrophoric lighter comprising a receptacle, a sparkingdevice mounted in mired position on said receptacle and comprising a sparking wheel and a pyrophoric element biased into engagement therewith, a tubular member fixed actuating member for said sparking wheel reciprocatory in said tubular member, said actuating member being biased toward'one end of its path of movement so as to locate the same in the'path of sparks projected from said sparking wheel, a manually operable torch means engageable with said actuating member to move it along said path, and means whereby continuous rotative movement =-is imparted to said sparking wheel during movement of said actuating member throughout substantially the entire length of said path, the force of such wheel movement directly depending on the manual force applied by said torch means to said actuating member.

12. lA pyrophoric lighter comprising a receping wheel and a pyrophoric lelement biased into engagement therewith, a tubular member fixed in 'said receptacle, an actuating member for said sparking wheel reciprocatory in said tubular member, said actuating member being biased toof movement so as to parted to said sparking wheel during movement of said actuating member throughout substantially the entire length of said path, the force of such wheel movement directly depending on the manual force applied by said torch means to said actuating member, said means comprising a lever arm, and said actuating member having 5 a pin-and-slot connection with said lever arm. LOUIS V. ARONSON. 

